The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-06-01
FRANZ.

The Elelweiss is . pale little Alpine
sDow-llower with velvet petals, and
grows in the most inaccessible spots on
the mountains.
Franz Steinfoldt was one of the most
aglo Of the mountaineers Of Xermatt
and It's vicinity. Where a chamois
could find q footing, or Il hammer geier
makes its nest, Franz could follow, and
he made quite little penny during
the summer and fall months by guild
ing travellers up the mountains. He
had led some Of these psrilous expedi-
tons up the Matterhorn and brought
his party back In safety, where others
had lost their lives, 80 he bore the
reputation, though hardly nineteen, Of
being the most prudent and sure
footed Of the guides in Zermatt.
Sometimes he earned an extra sum
by getting the Edelweiss for travellers,
but that was rare occurrence. Since
his father lost his life five years before,
by falling into crevasse when in
pursuit Of the flower, the poor mother
had grown timid. Steinfedt, like his
son, had been q cautious and lucky
guide, until that fatal day when lie
wont down the smooth green Ice Of the
glaciers, and his body had never been
found. So the mother now grown
SICK and nervous, would weep nnd
demonstrate with her boy when she
thought he was setting Off in pursuit
Of tho fatal flower.
"Ach, Franz" +" she would sigh, chow
wish those Americans, and French,
ana Engllshers, would keep away from
Zermatt. Tnoy arc mad, those people,
to bribe you to such perilous places,
and thou art mad, too, to let their gold
tempt thee TO perhaps thy deathn
''if tho Edelweiss grow within the
reach Of all mems hands. mother, who
would want it2 The money does not
como amiss, for it helps to buy food
and clothing for us, and where would
Linda get her ribbons il II were not for
hose windlalls?o
II thank God the season is ovcr,''
Tho mother calculated. "1'be strangers
arc all gong back home, and in winter
am in peace"
The last party Of travellers Will be
hero this morning, at noon, on their
way home" said Franz. III must
hurry down to the Rosen.llaus, where
they VIII put up. CT Herman Muller
will DO ahead Of me. Three times this
summer, with his impuaence, he has
taken travellers from under my yery
nose, by offering to guide them for less
than ! DO. Ach, the mean fellowl''
With o contemptuous curl Of his
handsome lip, the young follow started
for The town with the easy, sprlngy
stop Of n mountaln-climber. 10 his
disgust lie found that Hermann and
some other guides were ahead or him,
Dut tho party was large enough to en-
gage his service also.
Ills special charge was an old gentle
man, an American, very pompous and
out voiced, and Franz's experienced
ego soon discovered that he was rich
''paryenu,n and making the European
tour for tho first time. His daughter.
whom ho called Rosa, and who was in
a perpetual blush for her papa's terrible
mistakes, was beautiful girl OF seven
teen-a fresh. gay, child-llke creature
aud amused Franz by her exaeperat-
etl way Of talking.
Nohe OF the party were enthusIas IT,
Alpine climbers. They did not % ~
high, and Stunned all dinicult and
dangerous places. They were onlv
climbing for tho name or the thino
and were glad enough to begin the do.
scent. Suddenly Rosa screamed ont.
70 papa, how dreadfully forpetfnl
we have been! We haven't a bit of
Edelwelss. Nobody at homo viii be.
lieve that we over tried to climb tho
mountains If we do not take back n
specimen. Why, all the girls who have
boon here have sprig in their scrap.
books. 10 bo sure, 1t looks to me like
any other dried weed, but then for tho
name OF the thing you know
well, I suppose We can pick some